Natural Landscaping
in Northfield and the Cannon River Region
Home
City Codes and Ordinances
The following text contains Northfield city codes relating to land development and landscaping.  Information was taken from Northfield’s website:
http://livepublish.municode.com/21/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&vid=13439
Chapter 34: Land Development Regulations
Article VII. Subdivision Regulations

Division 3.  Design Standards
Sec. 34-625. Lots
(d)    Natural features. In the subdividing of any land, due regard shall be shown for all natural features, such as tree growth, wetlands, steep slopes, watercourses, or similar conditions, and plans adjusted to preserve those which will add attractiveness, safety and stability to the proposed development.

(Code 1986, § 1310:704)

Division 4.  Required Improvements
Sec. 34-672.  Tree planting or street trees
In areas of a subdivision lacking trees as determined by the city, street trees shall be planted not less than 30 feet apart. No trees shall be planted within 40 feet of the intersection of curblines on corner lots. The minimum size shall measure 1 1/2 inches in diameter at the ground line. Only those varieties and locations approved by the city shall be used

(Code 1986, § 1310:801(7))

Article VIII. Zoning

Division 5.  Design Standards, Performance Standards, and Specific Use Standards
Sec. 34-1012.  Landscaping standards
(Ground cover means grass (seeded or sod), organic mulch materials, small rocks or gravel, and low masses of plant material ground cover. Landscaping means trees, shrubs, berms, plant materials, flowers, ground cover, rocks, screening and landscape walls. Rain garden means a natural stormwater runoff facility that uses a garden built into a shallow depression in the ground as a means to filter stormwater runoff through the use of plants and soil that absorb the water, filter pollutants, and ultimately reuse the water for vegetation nourishment, while providing an attractive landscape.)

(b) 7c. A minimum of 50 percent of the total building perimeter shall be landscaped with ground cover, shrubbery and trees in an area no less than 4 feet in width. (Applies to the C-3 zone).

(8) Plant materials that include native plants and seasonal interest (winter color, flowers, berries, and autumn color) are preferred. The use of native evergreens and shrubs that are visible during the winter are recommended.

a. The following trees may not be used to satisfy the landscaping requirement of this section:
Box Elder (Acer negundo)
 Female Gingko (Gingko Biloba)
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) Mulberry (Morus alba)
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) Cottonwood (Populus deltoids)
Russian Olive(Elaegnus)  
Poplars (Populus species)

b. The following trees may be used to satisfy the landscaping requirement of this section, but only in areas that are reasonably protected from winter wind conditions:

Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens glauca)  
White Pine (Pinus alba)     
Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)

c. The following trees may be used to satisfy the landscaping requirement of this section, but only in areas that are not on, or immediately adjacent to, a public street boulevard.
Little Leaf Linden (Tilia cordata)   
Mancana Ash (Fraxinus mandshurica mancana) 

(9) Minimum planting standards include the following
a. Overstory trees: 2.5" B&B
b. Coniferous trees: 6' B&B
c. Shrubs: 24" B&B

(10) Landscaping shall be provided at and around the base of all ground and pylon signs. Such landscaping shall comply with section 34-1079.
(c) Vegetative stormwater facilities such as rain gardens and bio-retention areas may be counted toward the minimum landscaping requirements.
(d) In all zoning districts where setbacks exist or are required, all developed uses shall provide a landscaped yard, including grass, decorative stones, or shrubs and trees, along all streets. This yard shall be kept clear of all structures, storage, and off-street parking. Except for driveways, the yard shall extend along the entire frontage of the lot, and along both streets of a corner lot. Such yard shall have a depth of at least ten feet or the minimum setback depth, whichever is less. In all districts, all structures and areas requiring landscaping and fences shall be maintained so as not to be unsightly or present harmful health or safety conditions.
(Ord. No. 787, 6-2-2003)

Division 5.  Design Standards, Performance Standards, and Specific Use Standards
Sec. 34-1053.  Tree and woodland preservation
(3) Forestation, reforestation or landscaping shall utilize a variety of tree species and shall not utilize any species presently under disease epidemic. Species planted shall be hardy under local conditions and compatible with the local landscape.

(Ord. No. 787, 6-2-2003)

Chapter 86.  VEGETATION
Article I. In General

Sec. 86-1.  Weeds
a) The term "weeds," as used in this section means not only such noxious weeds as are enumerated in Minn. Stat. § 18.77 and acts amendatory thereto, but also such useless and troublesome plants as are commonly known as weeds to the general public. Weeds shall also be construed to mean all rank vegetable growth which exhales unpleasant or noxious odors, and also high and rank vegetable growth that may conceal filthy deposits.

b) Any weeds or grass growing upon any lot or parcel of land, excluding grass or forage crops used for agricultural purposes, planned landscaping purposes, and/or areas officially designated as wildlife areas, but including the lands between the curbline of the street or alley and the property line of private properties, to greater height than one foot or are about to go to seed are declared to be a nuisance and dangerous to the health, safety and good order of the city.

(Code 1986, §§ 1005:50--1005:70)
see other restricted plant species
back to top
Lawn History
A Landscaping Revolution
Getting Started
CAUTION!!!
Invasive Plants
City Codes
Northfield Lawns
Local Resources
Conclusions
Recommended Reading and Links
Literature Cited
Acknowledgments